The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

Pair: Colour Sergeant H. W. Buckle, 4th Volunteer Battalion East Surrey Regiment and City of London Imperial Volunteers

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (914 Cpl. H. W. Buckle, C.I.V.); Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (4070 C.Sjt: H. Buckle. 4 V.B. E. Surrey Regt.) mounted as worn, good very fine (2) £180-£220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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Henry William Buckle was born in Freemantle, Hampshire in 1874. A warehouseman by occupation, he enlisted into the 4th Volunteer Battalion, East Surrey Regiment on 19 November 1892 and served with their City Imperial Volunteers detachment in South Africa during the Boer War as a Corporal in “D” Company of the Infantry Battalion. Continuing to serve in the 4th Volunteer Battalion, East Surrey Regiment after the Boer War, he was promoted Colour Sergeant on 1 May 1902 and attested for their successor unit, the 23rd Battalion, County of London Regiment (Territorial Force), on 1 April 1908. He was awarded the Volunteer Force Long Service Medal on 1 January 1909 and was discharged on 10 April 1908.

Surviving on file is a letter, written by Colour Sergeant Buckle to the Adjutant of the 23rd County of London Regiment, dated 24 May 1909, revealing Buckle’s pride in his Volunteer Battalion’s war service in South Africa some 9 years earlier:
‘Sir, I am surprised to see that the order of things / viz totally ignoring service men, and not allowing them to take part in any ceremonial affairs, are rigidly adhered to. The honour South Africa was earned by the good conduct and military behaviour of the representatives of the 4th V.B. East Surrey Regiment, who took part in that war and I think it only fair to have allowed those men to have had the honour of receiving the Colours from His Most Gracious Majesty the King and especially as it pleased His Majesty to present the medals to some of the Corps representatives by his own hands. Justice was prevented from doing so. I apologise for not writing an explanation before, but I intended to report myself to you this evening. I am Sir, H. Buckle. C/Sergt.

Sold together with a silver C.I.V. teaspoon (hallmarks for Birmingham 1899).